Swatch severing mechanism



Sept. 28, 1965 M. COHN 3,208,322

SWATCH SEVERING MECHANISM Filed July 20, 1962 5 Sheets$heet l INVENTOR. MAURICE COHN ATTORNEYS Sept. 28, 1965 M. COHN SWATCH SEVERING MECHANISM Filed July 20, 1962 FIG-4 28 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Sept. 28, 1965 M. COHN SWATCH SEVERING MECHANISM 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 20, 1962 Sept. 28, 1965 M. COHN SWATCH SEVERING MECHANISM 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed July 20, 1962 FIG. 6

FIGS

Sept. 28, 1965 M. COHN 3,208,322

SWATCH SEVERING MECHANISM Filed July 20, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIGS 26 FIG.\O 78 United States Patent 3,208,322 SWATQH SEVERING MECHANISM Maurice Colin, South St, South Coventry, Conn. Filed .luly 20, 1962, Ser. No. 211,221 6 Claims. (Cl. 83-222) This invention relates to improvements in a machine for applying fastening elements to fabric articles such as articles of clothing, and it relates more specifically to a mechanism for inserting a reinforcing swatch next to the fabric to receive the prongs of the fastening element which are thrust through the fabric and then clinched.

It is the general object of the invention to provide the aforementioned mechanism in a form which can easily be applied to existing machines or incorporated in their initial manufacture and which can be driven by the machine automatically to feed a web of the material from which the swatches are to be severed and to sever and position a swatch relative to the fabric article and fastening element so that it can be secured therewith each time the machine operates to clinch a fastening element in the fabric.

The drawings show a preferred embodiment of the invention and such embodiment will be described, but it will be understood that various changes may be made from the construction disclosed, and that the drawings and description are not to be construed as defining or limiting the scope of the invention, the claims forming a part of this specification being relied upon for that purpose.

Of the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of that portion of a fastener applying machine in which the improvement of the present invention is incorporated;

FIG. 2 is a further perspective view of that portion of the machine shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of the drive means operable by the machine to actuate and operate the swatch feeding and severing mechanism of this invention;

FIG. 3a is a further view of a fragmentary portion of the drive means;

FIG. 3b is a vertical sectional view taken as indicated by the line 3b3b of FIG. 3.

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 but on an enlarged scale and showing elements of the drive means in a position different from that shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a further view of the drive means showing elements thereof in the same position as shown in FIG. 4 but from a different plane of observation;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the swatch feeding and severing mechanism showing it being operated to feed the web of material from which a swatch is to be severed;

FIG. 7 is similar to FIG. 6, but it shows the mechanism being operated to sever a swatch from the web;

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the swatch feeding and severing mechanism taken during a feeding operation;

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the swatch feeding and severing mechanism similar to FIG. 6 but with the shear plate removed therefrom;

FIG. 10 is an elevational view of the swatch feeding and severing mechanism;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view through the swatch feeding and severing mechanism taken generally as indicated by the line 11]ll of FIG. 7; and

FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 11, but showing a hold-down clip for the web in a second position.

As has been mentioned, the swatch feeding and severing mechanism provided in accordance with the present invention is especially adapted for use on machines which apply fastening devices to fabric articles. My prior patents, No. 2,852,777 issued Sept. 23, 1958 and No. 2,922,-

Patented Sept. 28, 1965 162 issued Jan. 26, 1960 illustrate machines of the type to which the present invention applies, and reference may be made to the aforementioned patents for a more complete disclosure of the said machines including parts and operations thereof which form no part of the present invention. As will be seen by reference to the said patents, the machines are especially adapted to apply hook and eye type fastening devices to fabric articles, such as articles of clothing. Hook and eye type fastening devices are widely used in the waist-bands of trousers, a hook element being applied at one end of the waistband and an eye element to the other end thereof. Each such element is provided with a pair of clinching prongs which are thrust through the waistband by a ram. on the machine and then clinched by the cooperation of an anvil to engage the other side of the fabric or to engage a metallic backing plate interposed between the fabric and the anvil. The machines shown in the aforementioned patents can be used either to apply the hook element and its associated backing plate or the eye element and its associated backing plate.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the preferred machine 10 is of the type which feeds the fastening elements (either the hooks or the eyes) on a tape 12 to a vertically reciprocable ram 14. The machine is power operated to reciprocate the ram relative to an anvil l6, and the same drive means is used to advance the tape 12 which brings the fastening devices F to the ram so that they can be carried thereby in sequence into engagement with the anvil 16 and thus clinched through the fabric article.

Further, the same drive is utilized to move a second tape 18 toward and from the anvil 16 in the direction of the arrows, and it is this second tape which places a backing plate on the anvil for engagement with a fastening element F for each cycle of reciprocation of the ram.

The elements of the conventional machine which have thus far been described are supported by a table 20, the anvil 16 being secured on top of the table below the vertically reciprocable ram 14, and a plate 22 being positioned over the anvil to support the trouser waistband or other fabric article to which the fastening element F is to be applied. A hold-down cleat 24 holds the fabric article in position on the plate 22 as the ram 14 is thrust downwardly to apply the fastening element.

The swatch feeding and severing mechanism, which is indicated generally by the reference numeral 26, is located adjacent the anvil 16 below the plate 22 so that a swatch can be inserted over the anvil and on top of a backing plate in position thereon, whereby it will be clinched by the prongs of a fastening element F between the fabric article and the backing plate to reinforce the fabric article and prevent undesirable tearing or ripping thereof. As will be more fully described, each swatch for each fastening element is to be severed from a web W of the swatch material which may be fabric, leather, plastic or any other desirable material. The web W is preferably provided on a spool (not shown) which can be supported by the table or base of the machine so that the web can be moved upwardly and then through the feeding and severing mechanism 26 onto the anvil 16 as indicated generally by the arrow in FIG. 1.

The swatch feeding and severing mechanism 26 is operated by reciprocating drive means which in the preferred form of the invention is in turn driven by the reciproeating ram. Therefore, the mechanism 26 is operated automatically by, and in timed relationship with, the movement of the ram, and, preferably, the said mechanism is operated to feed the web W when the ram moves in one direction (vertically downwardly) and to sever a swatch S therefrom when the ram moves in the opposite direction (vertically upwardly).

Most of the elements of the drive structure are best shown in FIGS. 3-5, and it will be seen that these elements include a vertically reciprocable rod 28 which moves within a sleeve 38. The sleeve is rigidly mounted on a horizontal plate 32 which is secured to the underside of the table 20 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). The rod 28 extends upwardly and downwardly from the sleeve 38 and a substantial portion of its upper length is threaded so that it will adjustably receive an internally threaded collar 34. The collar 34 is secured in adjusted position on the threaded rod 28 by means of a set screw and a locknut 36. A stop nut 38 and an additional locknut 48 limit the downward movement of the rod 28 by engagement of the stop nut 38 with the top of the sleeve 30. A bracket or clutch indicated generally by the reference numeral 42 connects the collar 34 and rod 28 with the ram 14 so that the rod will be reciprocated upwardly and downwardly with the ram.

More specifically, the bracket 42 includes a lower plate 44 which is rigidly but detacha bly connected to the ram 14 and projects horizontally therefrom. A pair of jaws 46, 46 are pivotally mounted near their rear ends on the top surface of the bracket plate 44 on pivot bolts 48, 48. A spring (not shown) is interposed between the rear ends of the jaws 46, 46 rearwardly of the pivot bolts 48, 48 so as to bias the other ends of the said jaws toward each other or toward the closed or clamping position.

These jaws at least partially embrace the cylindrical surface of the collar 34, the jaws being provided with opposed arcuate surfaces that engage the collar. Normally, the jaws engage the collar 34 at a reduced diameter intermediate portion 56 (FIGS. 3 and 3b) and the arcuate surfaces are tapered so as to diverge downwardly. Thus, as the ram is thrust downwardly the jaws will carry the collar 34 and rod 28 downwardly therewith until the st'opnut 38 engages the sleeve 30. Additional downward movement of the ram relative to the rod is permitted because the tapered shape of the arcuate jaw surfaces permits the jaws to be cammed apart and relative slipping movement to occur. That is, the jaws will slip downwardly on the collar 34 from the position shown in FIG. 3 to the position in FIG. 3a which is the limit of movement of the bracket 42 relative to the rod 28, this limit being fixed by the limit of movement of the ram 14. Accordingly, there is relative slipping between the bracket and rod during the final stage of ram movement in the one direction (downwardly) and there is limited slipping movement during initial movement of the ram upwardly. That is, the rod 28 is used to move a chain, and the resistance of this chain to movement will cause the jaws to slip on the collar 34 during initial upward movement of the ram. This slippage during upward movement of the ram is stopped when the jaws 46, 46 engage the reduced diameter portion 58, on the collar 34. A cam (not shown) is fixed on a vertical pin 52 so as to engage and spread the jaws 46, 46 when the pin 52 is rotated manually as by a handle 54.

It will be noted that the bottom end of the vertically reciprocable rod 28 is connected to an endless chain 56 which is entrained ver sprockets mounted on horizontal shafts extending in the same vertical plane from a bracket 58 which depends from the plate 32. The lowermost of these shafts, the shaft 60, extends through the bracket 58 and has a larger diameter sprocket 62 secured on its extending end as is a flywheel 64 (FIG. An endless chain 66 is entrained over the large diameter sprocket 62 and extends forwardly therefrom where it is entrained over a smaller diameter sprocket 68 secured to a shaft 70 journaled in a bearing block 72 mounted on and depending from the front edge portion of the plate 32. The shaft 70 extends through the bearing block 72 and a sprocket 74 is located on its extending end so as to be on the same side as the finst mentioned endless chain 56. An endless chain 76 is entrained over the sprocket 74 and over a sprocket 78 which is rot'atably mounted on a shaft 80 forming a part of the web feeding and severing mechanism 26 to be described.

Accordingly, when the rod 28 is thru'st downwardly by downward movement of the ram 14, the endless chain 76 and the sprocket 78 move in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIGS. 3 and 4, and it is this movement that effects feeding of the web. Further, when the rod 28 is moved upwardly the chain 76 and the sprocket 78 are moved in a clockwise direction and it is this movement that effects the severing of the swatch S from the web W. A spring is connected between the depending bracket 58 and the endless chain 56 to assist the feeding operation of the mechanism 26 and in so doing it provides an assist for downward movement of the rod 28.

Referring now to the web feeding and severing mechanism per se, and with reference primarily to FIGS. 6-12, it will be observed that this mechanism includes a generally horizontal base 84 over which the web W is to be fed from in front of the machine rearwardly toward the anvil 16. A roller 86 is supported transversely of the base to facilitate movement of the web at the front edge of the base and toward the rear edge thereof. The top portion of the base is provided with a longitudinally extending recess 88 to define a path for movement of the web along the top surface of the base, and it will be noted that a shear plate 98 is adjustably and detachably connected to the base over the recess 88 to further define a path for movement of the web which will advance underneath the shear plate. As best shown in FIG. 8, the base 84 is rigidly mounted on the anvil 16 as by a machine screw 92 and dowel pins 94, 94 so that the portion of the web which extends beyond the rear edge 96 of the base will overlie the anvil and provide the swatch S which is to be severed from the web.

The shaft upon which the sprocket 78 is rotatably mounted is transversely journaled in the base 84 below the recessed top surface 88. A pair of knurled r toothed wheels 98, 98 are keyed to the said shaft in axially spaced apart relationship so that the upper peripheral portions of said wheels will project through suitable openings 100, 188 (FIG. 9) in the recessed top surface of the base. When the shaft 88 is rotated in one direction (counterclockwise as viewed in FIGS. 3, 4, 11 and 12), the knurled wheels will engage the web W and move it along the pathway defined in the upper surface of the base.

A generally U-shaped spring clip 102 is arranged to engage over the front edge of the shear plate selectively in one of two positions illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12 respectively. When the clip 162 is in the forward position, as shown in FIG. 11, it clears the recessed pathway 88 to permit easy threading of the web W therein into position over the wheels 98, 98. When the clip is moved rearwardly to the position shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and 12, it holds the web down in the recessed pathway to assure engagement by the wheels 98, 98 and advancing movement thereby.

The sprocket 78 which is rotatable on the shaft 80 is joined to a fork-like pawl 184 that rotates with the sprocket on the shaft. It will be seen that the combination sprocket and pawl is mounted on the shaft 80 on a portion thereof which extends outwardly from the base 84 and which has a knurled outer end to permit manual rotation of the shaft in at least the one direction that feeds the web. The term pawl is used to describe the member 104 because it has pawl-like tines 186 and 188 (FIG. 4) which engage and actuate a cutting knife 110. That is, the tines 186 and 188 engage and move the knife during a portion of the rotation of the sprocket 78.

The knife 118 is pivotally mounted at the rear edge of the base 84 on a pin 112 which extends longitudinally of the base to project forwardly therefrom. A series of Bellville washers 114 surround the projecting portion of the pin 112 to spring load it so that the knife 110 and pin 112 can be forced rearwardly from the rear edge of the base when desired. The spring force applied by the washers 114 normally retains the knife 118 against the rear edge 116 of the shear plate 98, and the top edge 118 of the knife is sharpened so that shearing engagement will be maintained between the edges 116 and 118 as the knife 110 is pivoted upwardly to cut through the web. The end of the knife 110 opposite the pivot pin 112 is provided with a tip 120 which is engageable between the tines 106 and 108 on the forked pawl 104. As will be observed from FIGS. 3 and 4, when the sprocket 78 and pawl 104 are rotated counterclockwise, the knife 110 is pivoted downwardly and then released by the tines 106 and 108 in a position permitting the web to be advanced over the knife onto the anvil. Then, when the sprocket and pawl are rotated in a clockwise direction the knife tip 120 is engaged between the pawl tines and the knife is pivoted upwardly to sever a swatch from the web.

As has been mentioned, the web is severed by the shearing engagement of the edges 116 and 118 on the shear plate 90 and the knife 110 respectively. Proper engagement and cutting operation depends upon the relative location of these two elements. In accordance with the present invention, the shear plate 90 can be adjusted forwardly and rearwardly on the base 84, and means are provided for properly locating the shear plate for the desired engagement with the knife. This means includes a gaging surface 122 provided on the knife 110 and engageable by the rear edge 116 of the shear plate 90 when the knife 110 is elevated manually. When the shear plate edge 116 engages the surface 122, the plate will be proper ly located for shearing engagement with the knife edge 118. The knife can then be pressed rearwardly and downwardly to engage the aforementioned cutting edges.

When a fabric web material is employed, fabric particles and lint will collect between the rear edge of the base 84 and the anvil 16 due to the cutting operation. Provision is made for removal of such matter by an air blast. More specifically, a rectangular block 124 is supported on a laterally extending plate 126 which is secured to the base 84, and the said block is provided with an air passage 128 having a port 130 directed toward the rear edge of the base. When a conventional air hose is directed into the end opening of the passage 128, the air stream will be directed through the port 130 to blow the particles and lint away.

As has been said, the web W will be advanced from the base 84 onto the anvil 16 when the shaft 80 and knurled wheels 98, 98 are rotated in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIGS. 11 and 12. The shaft is rotated counterclockwise when the sprocket 78 and pawl 104 are rotated counterclockwise by the drive means heretofore described during a downward movement of the ram 14. Such rotation of the shaft 80 with the sprocket and pawl is effected by a one-way drive element 132 which rotates with the sprocket 78 and pawl 104. It will be especially noted in FIGS. 7 and 9 that the one-way drive device 132 has a pin 134 projecting laterally into a peripheral slot 136 on the pawl 104, thus effecting a lost motion connection between the said drive device and the combination sprocket and pawl. The one-way drive device 132 is a ratchet-like element like that shown in FIG. 9 of US. Patent 2,852,777 and in FIG. 11 of Patent 2,922,162. It is so arranged on the shaft 80 that it will only rotate the shaft counterclockwise (as viewed in FIGS. 11, 12) when the combination sprocket and pawl are rotated counterclockwise. On the other hand, when the sprocket and pawl are rotated clockwise, the one-way drive device 132 will rotate freely on the shaft 80.

A similar one-way drive device 138 surrounds the shaft 80 and is secured to the base 184 and it is so arranged on the said shafts as to prevent clockwise shaft movement. In this case, the one-way drive device 138 functions as a brake against clockwise movement while permitting counterclockwise movement of the shaft.

The lost motion connection provided by the pin 134' and peripheral slot 136 is an important feature of the construction in that during initial counterclockwise rotation of the combination sprocket and pawl, the knife 110 is 6 pivoted downwardly to clear the opening at the end of the recessed passage 88 on the base 84 so that the web can be advanced when the one-way drive element 132 starts to rotate.

From the foregoing description, it will be understood that the mechanism 26 for feeding and severing the web operates when the ram 14 is moved in one direction (downwardly) to rotate the shaft in one direction (counterclockwise), to advance the web and when the ram is moved in the opposite direction (upwardly) the knife is pivoted to sever the web.

The invention claimed is:

1. A mechanism for feeding a web of material and for cutting a swatch therefrom comprising a base defining a path for movement of the web, a shaft rotatably supported transversely of the path, knurled wheel mounted on the shaft to engage and advance the web along the path toward one edge of the base when the shaft is rotated in one direction, cutter means supported by the base for cutting movement and return movement relative to said one edge in severing the web, reciprocating drive means including a driven pawl rotatable on the shaft in said one direction and in the opposite direction and engaging the cutter means respectively to effect return and cutting movement thereof, and a one-way drive element connected to the pawl and shaft to rotate the shaft with the pawl only in said one direction.

2. A mechanism for feeding a web of material and for cutting a swatch therefrom comprising a base over which the web is to be advanced, a plate supported in spaced relationship over the base for movement of the Web therebetween and having a shearing edge, a shaft rotatably supported by the base below said plate, a knurled Wheel mounted on the shaft to engage and advance the web toward said shearing edge when the shaft is rotated in one direction, a knife pivotally supported by the base for movement upwardly adjacent said shearing edge to sever the web and for movement downwardly to permit advance of the web, reciprocating drive means including a driven pawl rotatable on the shaft in said one direction and in the opposite direction and engaging the knife to move it respectively downwardly and upwardly, and a one-way drive element connected to the pawl and shaft to rotate the shaft with the pawl only in said one direction.

3. A mechanism for feeding a web of material and for cutting a swatch therefrom comprising a base over which the web is to be advanced, a plate supported in spaced relationship over the base for movement of the web therebetween and having a shearing edge, a shaft rotatably supported by the base below said plate, a knurled Wheel mounted on the shaft to engage and advance the web toward said shearing edge when the shaft is rotated in one direction, a spring clip engaging said plate in one position to permit free movement of the web between the base and plate and engaging said plate in a second position wherein it engages the web to maintain engagement and movement thereof by said knurled wheel, movable cutter means cooperating with said shearing edge to sever the web, and drive means sequentially .actuating said cutter means and rotating said shaft in said one direction.

4. A mechanism for feeding a web of material and for cutting a swatch therefrom comprising a base over which the web is advanced toward one edge, a cutting knife pivotally supported on a pin located at one side of the base edge and which is spring loaded to permit forced and limited axial movement in the direction of advance of the web, the said knife being movable along said base edge and having an upper cutting edge facing the base and also having a recessed gaging surface facing the base, a shear plate supported in spaced relationship on said base to permit movement of the web between it and the base, said shear plate being adjustable in the direction of advance of the web and having a shearing edge engageable with the gaging surface of the knife to locate the plate for proper engagement with the cutting edge of the knife which can be lowered past the plate due to its spring loaded pivot pin, and drive means pivoting said knife upwardly and downwardly and for advancing a web in sequence.

5. A mechanism for feeding a web of material and for cutting a swatch therefrom comprising a base over which the Web is to be advanced, a plate supported in spaced relationship over the base for movement of the web therebetween and having a shearing edge, a shaft rotatably supported by the base below the plate, a knurled wheel mounted on the shaft to engage and advance the web toward said shearing edge when the shaft is rotated in one direction, a spring clip engaging said plate on one position to permit free movement of the web between the base and plate and engaging said plate in a second position wherein it engages the web to maintain engagement and movement thereof by said knurled wheel, a knife pivotally supported by the base for movement upwardly adjacent said shearing edge to sever the web and for movement downwardly to permit advance of the web, reciprocating drive means including a driven pawl rotatable on the shaft in said one direction and in the opposite direction and engaging the knife to move it respectively downwardly and upwardly, and a one-way drive element connected to the pawl and shaft to rotate the shaft with the pawl only in said one direction.

6. A mechanism for feeding a web of material and for cutting a swatch therefrom comprising a base over which the Web is advanced toward one edge, a cutting knife pivotally supported on a pin located at one side of the base edge and which is spring loaded to permit forced and limited axial movement in the direction of advance of the web, the said knife being movable along said base and having an upper cutting edge facing the base and also having a recessed gaging surface facing the base, a shear plate supported in spaced relationship on said base to permit movement of the web between it and the base, said shear plate being adjustable in the direction of advance of the web and having a shearing edge engageable with the gaging surface of the knife to locate the plate for proper engagement with the cutting edge of the knife which can be lowered past the plate due to its spring loaded pivot pin, a shaft rotatably supported by the base below said shear plate, a knurled wheel mounted on the shaft to engage and advance the web toward said shearing edge when the shaft is rotated in one direction, reciprocating drive means including a driven pawl rotatable on the shaft in said one direction and in the opposite direction and engaging said knife respectively to effect return and cutting movement thereof, and a one-way drive element connected to the pawl and shaft to rotate the shaft with the pawl only in said one direction.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 394,950 12/88 Badger 83-355 1,274,346 7/18 Swift 218-143 1,772,397 8/30 Krejci 83-355 2,718,004 9/55 Steinmetz 1325 2,912,697 11/59 Westbrook 1120 2,922,162 1/60 Cohn 1-325 2,939,145 6/60 Lundeberg 1325 GRANVILLE Y. CUSTER, TR., Primary Examiner. 

